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McCartney welcomes decision on inquest for Thomas Friel

Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney has welcomed the decision by
the Attorney General to hold another inquest into the death of Thomas
Friel who was killed by a rubber bullet in 1973.

Mr McCartney said,

"There
is no doubt that Thomas Friel was killed by a rubber bullet fired by
the British army, however it is important that his family are given the
truth about the circumstances of his death.

"I welcome
the news today that a new inquest will be held into his death following
work carried out by the Pat Finucane Centre that showed these weapons
were not properly tested.

"It was obvious that rubber and
plastic bullets were and remain lethal weapons given the fact that
seventeen people died and hundreds have been seriously injured as a result of
them. It is now time for the British Government to admit their
responsibility in allowing these bullets to be deployed against the
civilian population of the North.

"I would also call on the
Attorney General to hold this inquest as soon as possible so that after
forty years the family can get to the truth."